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Sony DSLR-A100

Reviewed December 2006

Test Photos

Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion
PLEASE NOTE:

Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities of any given camera model. The images are altered only in terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to the compression required to display them here. We feel however, that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.

STILL LIFE PHOTO

This subject is photographed in a room that has a mix of fluorescent and incandescent light, but which is not brightly lit. The camera's flash is used to add fill light. The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.

As with all cameras with interchangeable lenses, much of the image quality depends on the lens used to capture the image.

To capture this image the 18 to 50 mm f3.5-5.6 zoom included in the kit was used. Both this image and the telephoto shot shown further below were captured in RAW format, then processed using the "as-shot" settings and then saved as 8-bit TIFF.

Photo Information
Format: RAW Aperture: f3.5
Exposure: Program Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec.
Resolution: 3872 x 2592 Flash: On
Quality: ISO: 100
File Size: RAW: 8.6 MB
TIFF: 28.7 MB
Focal Length: 28.8 mm (35 mm eq.)
While the colours the Alpha 100 produces are natural, with this lens at the wide angle end, the equivalent of a 28.8 mm, the sharpness is clearly soft. In addition, a slight loss of brightness can be seen in the corners of the image, indicating that this field of view is at the edge of the pop-up flash's coverage. To capture this image, a flash compensation setting of + 1 EV was used.

ZOOM PHOTO

Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent is to test the sharpness of the image at the zoom's maximum setting. The camera remains at the same distance as with the preceding photo.

The image captured with the same lens at its maximum telephoto, on the other hand, shows a very good level of sharpness. Details in the image are crisp, and the weave of the backing cloth in the old print frame is visible, as is the printing pattern of the photographic paper envelope in the foreground.

Colours remain consistent with those captured with the wide angles, denoting an effective auto white balance.

Photo Information
Format: RAW Aperture: f5.6
Exposure: Program Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec.
Resolution: 3872 x 2592 Flash: On
Quality: ISO: 100
File Size: RAW: 8.6 MB
TIFF: 28.7 MB
Focal Length: 112 mm (35 mm eq.)
Aperture: f36, shutter speed: 1.3 seconds, ISO 100, Manual mode.

PHOTO MACRO

To capture this image, the kit lens was used at the 70 mm setting (equivalent), with an inverted 50 mm Minolta lens mounted on it.

The field of view captured this way is of approximately 20 mm (0.8 inch), and the inverted 50 mm lens is almost touching the crystal of the watch. To maximize the depth of field, an aperture of f36 is used.

The Manual mode is used to allow for a longer exposure, so as to compensate for the small amount of light reaching the subject.

BUILDING PHOTO

This image is our "outdoor" test. The architecture of the building, in particular the angled girders, immediately show the presence of jaggies. The shadowed entrance can also often reveal the quality of the exposure.

The presence of snow forced the use of +1.3 EV of exposure compensation to ensure that details of the shadow areas are captured.

The resulting image has natural and accurate colours. The kit lens — 18 to 70 mm — is used to capture the image, and with it set to the widest angle, there is no visible barrel distortion.

Photo Information
Format: RAW Aperture: f10
Exposure: Program Shutter Speed: 1/100
Resolution: 3872 x 2592 Flash: Off
Quality: ISO: 100
File Size: RAW: 11.9 MB
TIFF: 28.7 MB
Focal Length: 28.8 mm (35 mm eq.)
A slight chromatic aberration is detectable on the edges of contrasting areas, but more notable is the overall softness of the image, even with the use of an f10 aperture.

ZOOM PHOTO

Zooming in on the entrance of the building, the shadowed entrance takes on a greater importance for the metering and can cause an overexposure of sections that are directly lit.

This zoom shot is captured with the other kit lens, 70 to 300 mm zoom. The value of the Super SteadyShot stabilization system is clear with this image, captured at the maximum telephoto setting — equivalent to a 480 mm — and at a shutter speed of 1/80 second.

Noise is undetectable, colour rendition is excellent, and there is no visible pincushion distortion.

Photo Information
Format: JPEG Aperture: f5.6
Exposure: Program Shutter Speed: 1/80 sec.
Resolution: 3872 x 2592 Flash: Off
Quality: Fine ISO: 100
File Size: 2.2 MB Focal Length: 480 mm (35 mm eq.)
The metering is very precise, yielding details in both high and low light areas of the image. Worth noting, the D-R+ setting of the D-Range optimizer was used.

 

NIGHT PHOTO

This camera is capable of long exposures, and a photo taken at night is presented here to give an idea of its capabilities.

Aperture: f6.3; shutter speed: 8 sec, 100 ISO, 112 mm (35 mm eq.).

The flexibility offered by a camera such as the Alpha 100 is essential to obtain good night time images. It even offers an unlimited Bulb mode, albeit its use requires the optional remote control.

With this subject, however, the Bulb mode is unnecessary, as an exposure time of 8 seconds at the lowest sensitivity setting of 100 ISO is sufficient to capture a bright and detailed image.

The length of the exposure is sufficient to reveal details, as well as colours, that could not be perceived with the naked eye.

Worth noting, the image shows no trace of noise, however, the noise reduction process does soften the overall image sharpness slightly.

Compare Prices for
SONY Alpha DSLRA100 10.2 MP SLR Digital Camera
StoreSeller RatingsDescriptionPrice
TechForLessin stock$505.22
Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion



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